I like Vovlos personally, and am familiar with the car you're talking about. I haven't ridden in any of the newer ones, so I don't know about them. I did like the super fast shooting brake of a wagon they made in the 90's. They are pretty affordable now, but I have heard that maintenance can actually be pretty expensive. Ditto on the self-reightous (sp.?) advertising. Looks like they found a theme and have stuck with it. I did hear that motorcycle groups/clubs have actually lobbied to make Volvos safer-to be hit by while on a bike that is!

Another car that gets no press, probably because they aren't in the US anymore, is the Peugot. I have ridden in older Peugots (like mid-eighties) and they felt a lot like my '84 MB does, very solid and comfortable and quiet.